Alain Vigneault met with the media following the Rangers morning skate today:

How much better is this team than the one who played the Devils a few weeks ago, “Defensively that game, even though we gave up 4-0 goals, we played a good game. The chances were 9-8, 8-9 for both teams. The difference in that game was that when we made a mistake they made us pay and when we made a mistake we couldn’t make them pay. Obviously right now we are playing well, I think at both ends of the rink. We are meeting an opponent right now that is on top of their game defensively, They are playing well defensively so we will need to be real good at managing the puck and earning every inch that has to be earned.”

“that’s the only way to win on a consistent basis. You can’t game in and game out have the same guys on the scoresheet. If you want to win one or two games and if you want to play above .500 you need different lines to chip in on different nights, you need your D core to chip in. Obviously you need your goalie to make the saves at the right time.”

On the major challenge of adjusting, “there are a number of them, more than one. It comes with the job, getting to know the team, the personnel as far as what they can do on the ice, and getting to know them off the ice and what makes them tick there. Obviously installing the way that you want your team to play. That, depending on the different situations can go quicker or take some more time. There are a number of challenges that come with a new environment. When I came in there I didn’t really know anybody, I didn’t know the GM, the assistant GMs. The only guy I really knew coming in was Scott Arniel. It’s an adjustment for everybody. When a new boss comes in he has his way of doing things from…with the trainers, the medical staff and it takes time to get used to.”

Did Nash skate this morning, “yes.”

On a sense for when Dominic Moore can return, “I would say that, obviously not tomorrow but a couple of more good practices and he will be close…If I was a betting man I would say that we are shooting for Saturday.”

On Kreider and his hit against Upshall, “Knowing Chris. He is a big strong young man that plays a physical type game. I don’t think he was trying to hurt anybody. He was probably just trying to get to the bench and someone was in his way and he is a big strong kid. Obviously he is playing real well at both ends of the rink and we need him to keep doing that. “

On the team believing, “there are pressure points in a game and one of them is responding to when you get scored on. Lately we have reacted real well, the next shift is in the other team’s end, trying to get the momentum back. You can’t have 60 minutes of a game where you are in the other team’s end. The opposition wants the puck and they want to score too. It makes it challenging and you spend time in your end and you bend, you don’t break and you find ways to win. That is what we did last night.